Australian Citizen Trapped in Civil Unrest in New Caledonia

Australians stranded in riotous New Caledonia are pleading with the government for assistance in returning home, depicting the escalating unrest that has resulted in four deaths as akin to a war zone.

Sophie Jones Bradshaw, a woman from Brisbane, traveled to Noumea, the capital of the French-governed Pacific island territory, for work on May 11.

She mentioned that her husband and three-year-old son were supposed to join her a few days later, but the riots erupted.

Currently, the family is separated with uncertainty looming over their reunion.

“It’s heartbreaking to only see my son through the camera every day,” Ms. Jones Bradshaw shared with AAP.

“I cry because he is longing for me to come back home.”

“I keep telling him ‘just one more night, just one more night’, but I’m unsure about it.”

Ms. Jones Bradshaw recounted the presence of explosions, fires, and looting throughout the previously picturesque capital that she has visited for over two decades.

“It’s a scene of destruction, it’s pure chaos—it’s terrifying,” she expressed.

“It’s like an abandoned territory.”

She revealed that approximately half of the capital has been set ablaze, with residences and businesses being destroyed as the unrest stemming from disputed electoral reforms escalates.

“I can hardly sleep at night as I patrol my street to assist neighbors in safeguarding it, and even when I do manage to sleep, the slightest sound wakes me due to the fear of fires or burglaries,” Ms. Jones Bradshaw mentioned.

“I am drained and fearful like any other Caledonian.”

Grocery stores are empty, making venturing out for provisions a perilous undertaking amidst sporadic explosions and fires.

“I’ve visited a few convenience stores yesterday and today and they are devoid of supplies – perhaps a couple of shampoos and deodorants left but no food,” Ms. Jones Bradshaw shared.

“You have to travel further and further to locate a store that hasn’t been burnt down or closed.

“In the midst of all this, you can still hear explosions sporadically.”

Finding a loaf of bread becomes nearly impossible, as Ms. Jones Bradshaw explained, with road barricades obstructing the delivery of supplies to grocery stores.

The timeline for Ms. Jones Bradshaw’s return to Brisbane remains uncertain.

The Department of Foreign Affairs instructed Ms. Jones Bradshaw to enroll in a database for the agency to be informed of individuals present in the country.

She was advised to be prepared to leave by packing her belongings and ensuring her electronics are charged, although specific timelines were not provided.

Ms. Jones Bradshaw highlighted that she has slept fully dressed for the past five nights, with her passport, phone, and laptop packed, ready to depart at a moment’s notice.

All she desires is to reunite with her family before her son’s fourth birthday in a few days.

“I am truly hopeful that [the airport] will resume operations on the 22nd, and I will be accommodated on my flight, although I have doubts,” she remarked.

“But I am hopeful and the uncertainty is challenging.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong advised Australians in New Caledonia to restrict their movements and heed the guidance of authorities.

“We are collaborating with French and New Caledonian authorities and other like-minded nations such as New Zealand to evaluate safe departure options for Australians,” she announced on the social media platform X on May 18.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers urged individuals stranded in New Caledonia to contact the foreign affairs department via the hotline for assistance.

“We are deeply concerned about the developments in New Caledonia. We urge for tranquility in that region,” he conveyed to reporters on May 18.

“We acknowledge that there will be Australians, either present in New Caledonia or with family members and loved ones in Australia, who will be exceedingly worried.”